Bipartisan momentum is building behind the Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act (S. 524) authored by Senators Rob Portman & Sheldon Whitehouse. More than 130 national anti-drug groups have joined both Republican and Democrat leaders to support the bill, which was recently approved unanimously by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

In a new letter sent today to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Harry Reid, 130 anti-drug groups supporting CARA wrote that:

“We know from researchers, the law enforcement community, and treatment providers that the most effective way to address the challenges posed is to initiate a comprehensive response to the twin epidemics of opioid and heroin addiction that includes prevention, law enforcement strategies, preventing overdose deaths, expansion of evidence-based treatment, and support for those in, or seeking, recovery. … We are grateful for your leadership and urge all Members of Congress to support The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015.”

Included in the more than 130 national anti-drug groups are:

• National District Attorneys Association
• Major County Sheriffs Association
• National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers
• Faces and Voices of Recovery; and 
• Partnership for Drug-Free Kids.

The bill has received strong support from Ohio anti-drug groups.  It has also been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police and the Children’s Hospital Association.

There are 35 bipartisan Senate cosponsors of the bill.  Among the notable names: Sens. Kelly Ayotte, Marco Rubio, Orrin Hatch, Chuck Schumer, Dick Durbin, Jeanne Shaheen, Elizabeth Warren & Joe Manchin, among others.

Sen. Portman’s recent op-ed in the Cleveland Plain Dealer on the heroin epidemic can be found here.

###